Living Large In Small Spaces - Wishbone Barn Conversion

A 500 year-old "rough-luxe" barn located in Malvern Hills, Worcestershire is this week's featured small space.



Welcome to the 114th post in the series
"Living Large in Small Spaces".


Discovered by the current owners "whilst looking for the perfect retreat to escape," the Grade II listed barn has quite a historic past: "There is reputed to be a plan of Bank Farm area in The West Minster Abbey Archives, showing the house and pond as it was in the1400's. By 1876 the farm belonged to Earl Beauchamp and in 1919 was sold to Stephen Ballard the second, who was son of Stephen Ballard who engineered and built the railway tunnel through the Malvern Hills. He also built Jubilee Drive which runs from the Wyche cutting to British camp to celebrate Queen Victoria´s Golden jubilee in 1887. The farm was then turned into a fruit farm. Some of these ancient apple trees remain in the orchard in front of the barn, which has an amazing display of pink blossom in May."




Nestled between the primeval apple orchard and a private fishing lake, this stunning barn conversion has kept its historic roots without sacrificing modern conveniences. 





The sympathetic renovation retained the original timbers, stone walls and vaulted truss ceilings. Additional wood and stone came from around the farm.

Facing the double blue barn doors is a velvet sofa that lends a touch of luxury to the rustic interior.




The trunk coffee table adds character and doubles as hidden storage.




The view from this space is breathtaking.






In this open floor plan the sofa separates the sitting area from the dining.




There's a sense of balance here, with the furnishings complementing the architectural beauty and not upstaging it. As the owner explains, "The refurbishment of the barn came from the desire to preserve and highlight the amazing internal features but not overwhelm them with the interior refurbishment It was so important to utilise many pieces I have collected over the years like the little time worn wall cupboard, the antique meat safes, the vintage console table and all the collectable accessories."





The handmade kitchen was repainted to Lead Grey. Stairs lead to the hayloft -- more about that later.




In a sea of soothing neutral tones the kitchen's red cooker makes a perfectly bold statement.






Behind a "puddled heavy" curtain lies the master bedroom.





Large enough for a king-sized bed with room to spare for an antique dresser













An ensuite bathroom has shabby chic charm.




And a gorgeous walk-in shower.




Upstairs the old hayloft is now a sanctuary for naps or curling up with a good book.




Or just enjoy the fresh air and views from the hayloft's open wooden door.




Outdoor living is as special as the indoors at Wishbone.





Sixteen beautiful green acres surround the barn.



The private picnic area offers a lakeside view while enjoying a meal.







A friendly equine neighbor completes the bucolic scene.



Wishbone's owners sum up the wonder of this place so well: "We were inspired to make this humble countryside building an interesting and beautiful place to stay and with the barn doors open and the amazing view of the Malvern Hills unfolded before you – it feels magical and a place unspoilt and changed by time and time to rediscover yourself."

I couldn't agree more. Seeing Wishbone inspires me to bring more magic into my own small cottage.


The Wishbone is a vacation home available for rent from Unique Home Stays,   www.uniquehomestays.com 

Images © Unique Home Stays www.uniquehomestays.com +44 (0) 1637 881183



Join me next Saturday for another post in the special series


 Living Large in Small Spaces

See more home tours in the 
Living Large In Small Spaces Series here.

38 comments

  1. Wow! What a stunning place. I love everything about it inside and out.

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  2. Wishbone is an amazing place! Wow! The view, the barn, the furniture! What a lovely retreat!

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  3. Oh Nancy this one is a great little beauty inside and out. Love the views and love all the decor on the inside of this beautiful barn. Swooning.
    Kris

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  4. Wishbone is one of the cutest cottages I've ever seen! I would love to stay there, take notes, and build something similar! I love everything about it.

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  5. Absolutely charming in every way!

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    1. Glad you like it. It's definitely one of my favorites. xo

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  6. I am drooling . . .
    Oh My Oh My . . .
    Back for a second, third look . . .
    Outstanding !!!
    And the view is the icing on the cake . . .

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  7. oh. my. goodness. gracious. me. oh. my.
    best ever. thank you for the inspiration!
    hugs, sherry

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  8. Nancy, I am blown away by the character of this little house. I love it all. Blessings, xoxo, Susie

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  9. Perfect little barn conversion. The floor is absolutely stunning and the antique pine dresser is exactly what I'm looking for for my bedroom. Do you think they'd notice it if I went there for a holiday and brought the dresser back to Cottage?

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  10. This is one of my favorites of the featured small homes you have blogged about. The views are amazing. I would never want to leave that space! Thanks for sharing, Nancy.

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  11. Now this one I could live in forever! I couldn't bare to stay there on vacation and not have it be mine! I just love everything about it.

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  12. Oh, I LOVE the way that room is upstairs in the loft sort of off by itself and separated from the main loft. I would put a door there, for privacy. That is one thing I am noticing about almost every tiny house with a loft...they leave it so open. For our teenage son, we would love a tiny house with a loft, but have the loft completely closed in as an upstairs bedroom. Oh, the view looking out this window is just breathtaking, as you said. SO pretty! I so look forward to these posts of yours, sweet friend. :) God bless you!!!

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  13. They did an amazing job with this place. It is totally charming!

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  14. Magical is the right word! I love the grey color scheme!

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  15. Be still my heart. 500 years old, oh my! All that history, the gorgeous stone walls, the rolling hills, and a lake to boot. Amazing!

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  16. OH My Gosh! Don't you just LOVE it? What an amazing space and it feels so homey and comfortable...like a spot you could plop down in and love forever. It is fabulous!! xo Diana

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  17. OMgoodness! When can I move in? This is my favorite...although you nail it many times. Inside and out---perfectly charming

    ane x

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  18. Lovely. They did a really good job.

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  19. THIS, is my kind of cottage. Those "quirky" timbers and beams are what I love and watching "Escape to the Country" once again (yes, we binge watch) has given us more ideas to make our 1941 brick cottage more and more like a European get-away. This is giving me more ideas!

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    1. I couldn't agree more! I love the warmth of this cottage. My family and I binge watch 'Escape to the Country' too!!! Such a wonderful show and we enjoy "traveling" all over England to see the lovely cottages and charming villages.

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  20. Being English and having visited many barn conversions, I have to admit this one is the most amazing I've seen! They have made such great use of the space and everything is beautiful. Then there is the splendid view of the countryside from the windows across the Malvern Hills. Everything in there I could bring home with me - and if I had the good luck to stay for a visit they would have to drag me out!

    Lovely Nancy - so glad you discovered this gem and shared with us.
    Hugs - Mary

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  21. Wow, that sums it up. I felt relaxed just looking at the many places. The picnic spot just sealed the deal. I can see myself napping, reading, strolling and just sitting for hours. If I ever get an inheritance from a long lost relative I am going to spend a month there. Great find Nancy. Hugs

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  22. Ding, ding, ding! We have a winner folks! The entire cottage, its decor and its surroundings are just fabulous, but I think that open hayloft door was the clincher. Just dreamy....

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    1. Oh...and of course, that red stove! How could I neglect to mention that!

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  23. Oh my goodness! This makes me want to move right in. I LOVE IT! What views too! Thank you for sharing this.

    FlowerLady

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  24. WOW, this is very unique. I just feel "Nature".
    Thank you for sharing,
    Carla

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  25. I am speachless, maybe wrong choice of words, I have plenty to say.
    I would so live here and would love every peasant peaceful moment.
    Wish bone barn is amazing.

    Please post if you take a holiday to this magical cottage setting.
    Xx
    Dore

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    1. That would be a dream come true, Dore. But I'm afraid if I ever vacationed there I'd never want to leave.

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  26. Hello again Joyful,
    This is one of the most amazing small places I've seen. Oh how I'd love to vacation there. It's beautiful and rustic at the same time. Just delightful!
    Blessings from Harvest Lane Cottage,
    Laura

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  27. Nancy , what a beauty this piece of history is . Oh my! This would be an awesome getaway . I would play house . Lol !Hugs and blessing, Cindy

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  28. Now you really went and did it, topped the tops of cottages! At first I thought it was a Hobbit house. Don't you just love the way old UK homes seem to have sunk into the ground? I do!

    I think that someone staying here would emerge at the end of their stay looking and feeling more relaxed than they had in years. I love the blue velvet sofa, the Brits do sofas so well. And I want a bathroom like theirs.

    Yep, Wishbone does take the Blue Ribbon!

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  29. Absolutely stunning and magical. Now to figure out how I can make my cottage (previously a horseless carriage house, about 100 years old) into something at least remotely as lovely. It does have a large tree next to it. It could be a perfect summer house.

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  30. Me enamore del lugar y no hay duda, de que terminaría mis días en paz.

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